Effects of theanine, a unique amino acid in tea leaves, on memory in a rat behavioral test.

We identified an effect of theanine on memory functions in a novel object test. Rats were fed theanine for 3 weeks ad libitum, and then they performed the object test. The theanine-fed group performed search behavior for the novel object in the test session. The results suggest that theanine-fed rats showed improved recognition, and that theanine affected learning and memory.